Who Cares About Disasters Overseas? France? Russia? Why? Why Not?

Some body on Facebook asked why atrocities in Paris, France attracted more attention and supposedly more sympathy than events in St Petersburg.

Every country reports on its own nationals first. News filters through slowly. But I am more affected if an incident affects somebody I know, or associated with a place near where I live.

I can't speak for anybody else. However, I believe we do care. However, people generally feel more upset about nearby places they have been to whose language they speak.

I am sure that countries which speak Russian, have borders with Russia, or large numbers of tourists going there will feel and say and do more. Any Russian language publication will carry more news reports and arouse more reaction.

More people on an English language site have to change travel plans or call friends and family when an incident happens in Paris than in far away St Petersburg.

Places You Know In Russia
I have been to St Petersburg but could not even place it accurately on a map. It has changed its name which contuses me. I recall as a student standing with others reading world famous Volgograd. We all looked puzzled until somebody realised and explained, We're in St Petersburg!

St Petersburg has changed its name which confuses me.

Places You Know In France
I speak French. The trains from London go through France or Paris. Ferries from Britain go to France. So I care about France, Paris, and travelling to or through Paris and France. I can name several places in Paris, Notre Dame cathedral, the Eiffel Tower.

Songs
The words France and Paris immediately evoke English language songs such as I Love Paris in the Springtime. I can't name a song about St Petersburg.

Change of Travel Plans
More people on an English language site are in the UK or the USA and have to change travel plans or call friends and family when an incident happens in Paris than in far away St Petersburg.

St Petersburg is known for its heroic defence against the invaders in WWII. (I may add more later. Now I must go back to work.)

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.

Magnifique, Franglais allowed, whilst Brits use French words - a few reminders: entrepreneurs have a repertoire

clientele - posh clients
entrepreneur - one who starts businesses, literally undertaker, except in English this word is used for somebody who organises a funeral for your family or your uncle for a fee
familie - family
Repertoire - extensive lists of pieces you can perform

I see the French are now allowing English words. Language benefits from additions. We have gained from adding so many French words to English.

The BBC website has an article about Franglais and allowing universities to use English in courses to attract foreign students.

Better still, the French propose to stop banning English words.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8972506/Frances-war-of-words-with-Britain-is-over-says-French-foreign-minister-Alain-Juppe

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22607506

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2011/09/19/40-coolest-ipad-apps-for-language-learners/


Discussion on thinking in a foreign language:
http://www.fluentin3months.com/thinking/

You might like to read these articles during 'le weekend'.

French? Yes, you do speak FRENCH !

   French is the language of menus and cuisine. As every gourmet knows. it started with William The Conqueror who introduced pork - porc is French  for pig. Biscuit is cooked twice.
You will be amazed how many French words you already know. We have started keeping a list:
A-D
A la carte
Adieu
aide de camp
aide mémoire
amateur
aperitif
applique
art nouveau
armoire
au courant
au fait
au pair
au revoir
avant garde
baguette
bain marie
ballet
banquette
beau
beau monde
belle
belle époque
beret
bête noir
billet doux
Blanche (girl's name)
blase
blond / blonde
bon appétit
bon mot
bon vivant
bon voyage
bonbon, bonhomie
boucle
bouquet
bouquet garni
bourgeois
Bouquet
brasserie
brassiere
bric-a-brac
brioche
brunette
buffet
cache
chaise longe
chauffeur
chez
chignon
coup d'état
coup de foudre
cri de coeur
croque monsieur
cafe
cafe au lait
carte blanche
chateaux
Chauffeur
chef
chez
cliche
clique
concierge
conoisseur
cordon bleu
corps de ballet
coiffeur
coquette
corniche
cortege
courier
couture
couturier
coup d'etat
coup de grace
coupe
creche
creme brûlée
creme de la creme
crochet
croissant
cul-de-sac
danse macabre
de rigeur
debut
decolletee
decor
decoupage
deja vu
demi sec
denouement
depot
dessert
dilettante
double entendre
dossier
eau de Cologne
eclair
elan
emigree
eminence grise
enbloc
encore
en garde
en masse
en passant
ensuite
en route
enfant terrible
entente cordiale
entree
entrepreneur
etiquette
extraordinaire
expose
facade
fait accompli
faux
faux pas
femme fatale
fiancee
film noir
fin de siècle
flambe
foie gras
folie a deux
force majeure
forte
fusilier
gaffe
garage
gateaux
gauche
genre
gourmand
gourmet
grand prix
grandeur
grenadier
haute couture
hauteur
hors de combat
hors d'oevre
impasse
in lieu of
Jacques Vert (Jack Green)
je ne said quoi
joie de vivre
laissez-faire
liaison
lingerie
lorgnette
macrame
madame
mademoiselle
malaise
maitre d
mange tout
mannequin
Mardi Gras
marquee
matiner
matelot
melange
melee
menage a trois
metier
milieu
moire
mortgage
mousse
moulin rouge
naive
negligee
niche
nom de plume
nouveau riche
omelette
panache
papier mache
par avion
par exellence
pas de deux
passe
pastiche
patisserie
penchant
piece de resistance
pied-a-terre
pince-nez
piste
plage
portmanteau
poseur
pot de chocolat
pot pourri
prairie
precis
premiere
protegee
provocateur
queue
raconteur
recherche
rendez-vous
repertoire
reprise
resume
riposte
risque
rose
rouge
rsvp
saute
savant
savoir faire
seance
silhouette
soiree
sommelier
soupçon
suave
svelte
tableau
table d'hôte
the dansant tea dance
venue
vignette
vinaigrette
voila
voyeur

earwormslearning.com French (disc and booklet - rather small print)
French in 10 minutes a day by Kershul - large format paperback book
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_words_and_phrases_used_by_English_speakers